Downtown San Antonio, Texas
KITCHEN & CAFÉ MANAGER
Job Type: Full-Time | Schedule: Flexible | Pay: Competitive, Based on Experience
ABOUT US
We are an independent café and dinner concept rooted in warmth, craft, and genuine hospitality. Located in the heart of Downtown San Antonio, we are preparing to open our doors and are building a team that is as serious about operations as it is about guest experience. We take both the food and the business side seriously - and we are looking for a manager who does too.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Kitchen & Café Manager is the operational backbone of our business. You are responsible for keeping everything running - the kitchen, the café floor, the team, the numbers, and the standards. This is a hands-on leadership role: you lead by doing, not by watching. You are comfortable in the kitchen and behind the bar. When a barista calls out, you step in. When a vendor delivery is off, you handle it. When a team member needs coaching, you show up for that too. This role requires someone who is equally operator and leader - organized, calm under pressure, and genuinely invested in building a great place to work and eat.
WHAT YOU'LL DO - OPERATIONS
-
Oversee all daily café and kitchen operations - opening, service, and closing - to ensure smooth, consistent execution
-
Manage inventory, ordering, and vendor relationships - track food and beverage costs and minimize waste
-
Build and manage staff schedules to ensure appropriate coverage across all shifts
-
Maintain all health, safety, and sanitation standards - lead inspections and ensure full compliance at all times
-
Monitor and manage food and labor costs against targets - flag variances and propose solutions
-
Oversee proper receiving, storage, labeling, and rotation of all food and beverage products
-
Ensure all equipment is maintained, serviced, and operating correctly - coordinate repairs as needed
-
Support catering and private events - coordinate logistics, staffing, and execution
-
Handle opening and closing procedures, cash management, and end-of-day reporting
WHAT YOU'LL DO - TEAM LEADERSHIP
-
Hire, onboard, train, and develop café and kitchen team members
-
Set clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and hold the team accountable with respect and consistency
-
Foster a positive, professional, team-first culture - you set the tone every shift
-
Step into any role as needed - including barista coverage - to keep service running without disruption
-
Identify performance issues early and address them directly and constructively
-
Conduct regular team check-ins and contribute to a workplace where people want to show up
WHAT YOU'LL DO - CAFÉ & BAR
-
Maintain barista proficiency - you can pull espresso, steam milk, and run the bar to standard when needed
-
Ensure all beverage offerings are prepared consistently and to quality standards
-
Monitor café floor presentation, cleanliness, and guest experience throughout service
-
Communicate any beverage or café issues to ownership and work toward solutions proactively
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
-
Proven experience managing a café, restaurant, or food and beverage operation - you've done this before
-
Barista skills: you know your way around an espresso machine and can train others on it
-
Operator mindset: you think about food cost, labor, and efficiency without being reminded
-
Leadership presence: your team respects you because you're fair, consistent, and capable
-
Calm under pressure: busy service, short-staffed shifts, difficult guests - you handle it without losing your composure
-
Attention to detail across everything - from a dirty counter to a scheduling gap to a vendor invoice
-
Strong communication skills with both team members and ownership
-
A genuine investment in building a great team culture from day one
REQUIREMENTS
-
Minimum 2–3 years of management experience in a café, restaurant, or food and beverage environment
-
Barista experience required - must be able to competently prepare and serve espresso-based drinks
-
Food Handler Manager Certification required (or must be obtained within 30 days of hire)
-
Strong working knowledge of food safety standards, sanitation, and health code compliance
-
Experience with scheduling, inventory management, and basic food and labor cost tracking
-
Must be available for flexible scheduling including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and events
-
Experience with catering or events coordination is a plus
-
Basic proficiency with point-of-sale systems and scheduling or inventory tools
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
-
Ability to stand, walk, and move for extended periods throughout a full shift
-
Able to lift and carry up to 40 lbs (supply deliveries, restocking, equipment)
-
Comfortable working in both kitchen and café environments - varying temperatures throughout the day
-
Must be able to reach, bend, kneel, and stoop to access equipment, storage, and supplies
-
Clear verbal communication with team members and guests in a fast-paced environment
WORKING CONDITIONS
You will work across both the café floor and kitchen in Downtown San Antonio. Shifts vary and will include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and extended hours during events and peak periods. Dress code and uniform guidelines will be provided. Parking is easy and accessible for all team members. This is a leadership role that requires full presence and engagement - and the satisfaction of building something you're proud of.
